Vehicle Impact Mitigation System

• US 20110042975A1
• Filed: 08/21/2009
• Published: 02/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Faruque, Omar
• Granted Patent: US 8,113,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 293/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/28 Metallic springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/34 destroyed upon impact, e.g. one-shot type
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 19/40 in the direction of an obstacle before a collision , or extending during driving of the vehicle, i.e. to increase the energy absorption capacity of the bumper inflatable bumpers B60R19/20

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle impact mitigation system. The impact mitigation system can be configured to mitigate front impact situations. A main rail and an extendable rail—configured to move with respect to the main rail—are provided. A front module is attached to the extendable rail and attachable to the main rail. A spring is positioned between the front module and main rail, the spring is configured to apply a force to the front module when the front module is detached from the main rail. An actuator is configured to control attachment of the front module to the main rail.

Claims

1. A vehicle impact mitigation system, comprising:

a main rail;

an extendable rail configured to move with respect to the main rail;

a front module attached to the extendable rail;

a spring between the front module and main rail, the spring configured to apply a force to the front module when the front module is detached from the main rail; and

an actuator configured to control attachment of the front module to the main rail.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastener system configured to selectively attach the front module to the main rail;

wherein the actuator is configured to control the fastener system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the fastener system includes a pin.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the fastener system includes a nut and bolt;

wherein one of the nut or bolt is coupled to the front module and the other nut or bolt is positioned with respect to the main rail; and

wherein the nut and bolt are configured so that unscrewing the nut from the bolt detaches the front module from the main rail.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a control module linked to the actuator and other vehicle systems wherein the control module is configured to govern the actuator.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control module is linked to an electric vehicle braking system and configured to actuate the actuator upon receiving a predetermined signal from the vehicle braking system.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle braking system includes a collision mitigation by braking system and the predetermined signal relates to a computer-driven application of braking force.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the control module is linked to a hydraulic vehicle braking system and wherein the control module is configured to actuate the actuator by providing a predetermined pressure signal to the actuator.

9. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a power source linked to the control module, the power source configured to apply a force to the front module when actuated.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the power source is a hydraulic cylinder between the front module and main rail.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to restrain the extendable rail in an extended position after the front module is deployed.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking cavity formed in the extendable rail and a spring-loaded deadbolt configured to engage the locking cavity.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes a guide sleeve on the extendable rail, and wherein the guide sleeve comprises at least one locking wedge that abut a rigid plate when moved into a locking position.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism includes a slidable collar configured to move the locking wedge into the locking position when the sleeve is positioned around the guide sleeve.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism includes a plurality of cables attached to the slidable collar, the cables configured to guide the collar around the guide sleeve.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising a stationary collar configured to move the locking wedge into the locking position when the sleeve is positioned around the guide sleeve.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the stationary collar is a disc.

18. A vehicle, comprising:

a front module configured to move away from the vehicle in anticipation of a vehicle impact;

a crash control module configured to deploy the front module under a predetermined condition; and

a vehicle braking system linked to the crash control module;

wherein the predetermined condition is a vehicle braking condition.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the predetermined condition is a computer-driven application of braking force.

20. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the front module is spring mounted with respect to the vehicle in a manner to move the front module away from the vehicle when the front module is detached from the vehicle;

and

wherein the crash control module is configured to control attachment of the front module to the vehicle.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, further comprising:

a fastener system configured to selectively attach the front module to the vehicle and wherein the fastener system is linked to the crash control module.

22. The vehicle of claim 21, wherein the crash control module includes a hydraulic circuit configured to provide a predetermined pressure signal to the fastening system when the predetermined condition is met.

23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the crash control module is configured to supply a vehicle braking fluid from the vehicle braking system to the fastening system.

24. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein the crash control module includes a hydraulic circuit having a hydraulic cylinder between the front module and the vehicle, the hydraulic cylinder configured to apply a force to the front module when actuated.

25. The vehicle of claim 18, further comprising:

a locking mechanism configured to hold the front module in a deployed position once deployed.

26. A control circuit for controlling vehicle components in impact conditions, the circuit comprising:

an actuator configured to control attachment of a spring-mounted front module to a vehicle; and

a circuit linked to a vehicle braking system and configured to control the actuator according to vehicle braking conditions.

27. The control circuit of claim 26, wherein the vehicle braking system includes a collision mitigation by braking system configured to selectively control vehicle braking;

wherein the control circuit is configured to activate the actuator according to the collision mitigation by braking system'"'"'s control over vehicle braking.

28. The control circuit of claim 26, wherein the crash control module is configured to supply a vehicle braking fluid from the vehicle braking system to the actuator.

29. The control circuit of claim 26, further comprising:

a hydraulic cylinder between the front module and the vehicle, the hydraulic cylinder linked to the actuator and configured to apply a force to the front module when actuated.